Multipurpose ultraviolet floor curing devices

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a multipurpose ultraviolet (UV) floor curing device. The device includes a mobile carriage, a UV panel, and a control device. The mobile carriage is configured to move on a floor applied with a photocurable coating. The UV panel is coupled to the mobile carriage and removably secures a plurality of radiation units configured to emit UV light of a predetermined intensity capable of curing the photocurable coating. The UV panel is configured to transition between a floor configuration and a non-floor configuration. The control device configured to drive the UV panel for the plurality of radiation units to project the UV light towards the ground substantially underneath the UV panel in the floor configuration and towards elevated surfaces proximate to the ground in the non-floor configuration.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present patent application incorporates the subject matter of thefollowing patent applications, by reference and in their entirety: U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/636,443, filed Feb. 28, 2018,and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/288,792, filed Feb. 28, 2019,and titled “MULTIPURPOSE ULTRAVIOLET FLOOR CURING DEVICES,” in which theinventors herein were listed as co-inventors.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject matter described herein generally relates to ultraviolet(UV) devices for curing of radiation-curable surface coatings andparticularly relates to multipurpose UV floor curing devices.

BACKGROUND

Over the years, ultraviolet (UV) light has found use in severalapplications ranging from sterilization to polymerization. In the floorpreparation industry, UV light is employed to cure photosensitivecoatings applied on the floor and surfaces proximate thereto forimproving their stain resistance and durability. A wide variety ofradiation-curable compositions or formulations are available in themarket that can be used as such coatings. These compositions typicallyinclude photoinitiators, resins, and various additives for manipulatingdesired properties of such resins for intended applications or effect.During a UV curing process, the UV light is absorbed by thephotoinitiators to polymerize or crosslink the resins and bind them tothe floor. This process of UV curing is uber-effective in achieving asmooth and abrasion resistant floor surface with no toxic odor andallows for using the floor within minutes of treatment.

Modern UV floor curing devices typically include one or more UV lampsprojecting high-intensity UV light on to the floor for curing thecoatings applied thereon. The UV lamps are usually positioned proximateto the floor and directly face the floor to speed up the curing processby maximizing floor exposure to the high-intensity UV light. However,such positioning of the UV lamps fails to cure or disinfect surfaces(e.g., chair rails, wall trims, cornice, etc.) or objects (e.g., doorknobs, bathroom sinks, etc.) that are located at a significant heightfrom the floor and those within constrict spaces (e.g., walk-in closets,cabinets, etc.). As a result, such surfaces or objects are often curedor disinfected by employing a separate high-voltage UV unit that isbulky, difficult to maneuver, and adds to the cost of equipment, andmaintenance thereof. Additionally, the state-of-the-art UV floor curingsolutions are incapable of facilitating large area or room disinfection.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure describe a multipurposeultraviolet (UV) floor curing device. One embodiment of the multipurposeUV floor curing device includes a mobile carriage, a UV panel, and acontrol device. The mobile carriage may be configured to move on a floorapplied with a photocurable coating. The UV panel may be coupled to themobile carriage and removably secure multiple radiation units configuredto emit UV light of a predetermined intensity capable of curing thephotocurable coating. The UV panel may be configured to transitionbetween a floor configuration and a non-floor configuration. The controldevice may be configured to drive the UV panel for the plurality ofradiation units to project the UV light towards the ground substantiallyunderneath the UV panel in the floor configuration and towards elevatedsurfaces proximate to the ground in the non-floor configuration.

One aspect of the present disclosure is to provide an integrated devicefor ultraviolet-based curing and an area or room disinfection.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is to cure and disinfect thefloor including surfaces proximate thereto, surfaces at a significantheight from the floor, and surfaces within objects such as cabinetsusing the same UV source.

Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is to cure and disinfectthe ceiling and surfaces proximate thereto.

Still another aspect of the present disclosure to provide a multipurposeultraviolet device that is capable of disinfecting or curingradiation-curable coatings on spatially apart surfaces such as thefloor, walls, and the ceiling in a room simultaneously.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide an ultravioletdevice capable of adjusting an intensity of projected UV light or thatreceived by a target surface based on different orientations of thedevice or components thereof during use.

The above summary of exemplary embodiments is not intended to describeeach disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the presentdisclosure. Other and further aspects and features of the disclosurewill be evident from reading the following detailed description of theembodiments, which are intended to illustrate, not limit, the presentdisclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter will be bestunderstood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts aredesignated by like numerals throughout. The following description isintended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selectedembodiments of devices, systems, and processes that are consistent withthe subject matter as claimed herein.

FIG. 1 is a right-side isometric view of an exemplary multipurposeultraviolet (UV) floor curing device in a floor configuration, accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a right-side perspective view of the multipurpose UV curing(MUFC) device of FIG. 1 illustrating a bottom-side thereof without acabinet, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a right-side isometric view of the MUFC device of FIG. 1 withan extending radiation unit, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 4 is a right-side isometric view of the MUFC device of FIG. 1 in anon-floor configuration, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the MUFC device of FIG. 1illustrating the bottom side thereof, according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a right-side elevation view of the MUFC device of FIG. 4,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of the MUFC device of FIG. 4, accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of an exemplary independent radiation unitconfigured for use with the MUFC device of FIG. 1, according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a bottom elevation view of the radiation unit of FIG. 8,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the radiation unit of FIG. 8, accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a right-side elevation view of the MUFC device of FIG. 4including an exemplary UV tower fitted with a rotatable reflector,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a top elevation view of the MUFC device of FIG. 11illustrating an exemplary first position of the rotatable reflector,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a top elevation view of the MUFC device of FIG. 11illustrating an exemplary second position of the rotatable reflector,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 is a right-side isometric view of the MUFC device of FIG. 1including an exemplary ceiling UV projector, according to an embodimentof the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 is a right-side elevation view of the MUFC device of FIG. 14,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is provided with reference to thefigures. Exemplary embodiments are described to illustrate thedisclosure, not to limit its scope, which is defined by the claims.Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize number of equivalentvariations in the description that follows without departing from thescope and spirit of the disclosure.

Non-Limiting Definitions

Definitions of one or more terms that will be used in this disclosureare described below without limitations. For a person skilled in theart, it is understood that the definitions are provided just for thesake of clarity and are intended to include more examples than justprovided below.

“Disinfection” is used in the present disclosure in the context of itsbroadest definition. The disinfection may refer to any process ofinactivating or killing pathogens on a target surface using UV lightalone or in combination with a variety of disinfectants known in theart, related art, or developed later including, but not limited to,chemical agents (e.g., alcohols, aldehydes, oxidizing agents, naturallyoccurring or modified compounds, etc.), physical agents (e.g., heat,pressure, vibration, sound, radiation, plasma, electricity, etc.), andbiological agents (e.g., living organisms, plants or plant products,organic residues, etc.).

“Curing” is used in the present disclosure in the context of itsbroadest definition. The curing may refer to any process in which aradiation of a predetermined wavelength, frequency, intensity, or doseinitiates a photochemical reaction in a radiation-curable formulationalone or in combination with a variety of agents such as those mentionedabove.

“Area UV disinfection device” (also referred to as room UV disinfectiondevice) is used in the present disclosure in the context of its broadestdefinition. The area UV disinfection device may refer to any deviceconfigured to emit or facilitate emission of UV pulses havingpredetermined characteristics suitable to disinfect a surface in a shortperiod (e.g., approximately 10 minutes or less) from a relatively longdistance (e.g., greater than approximately 1 meter from the surface).Examples of these characteristics may include, but are not limited to,intensity, frequency, power, wavelength, and dose.

Exemplary Embodiments

The present disclosure is described below in detail with reference tothe drawings, which are provided as illustrative examples to enablethose skilled in the art to practice the disclosure. Moreover, wherecertain elements of the present disclosure can be partially or fullyimplemented using known components, only those portions of such knowncomponents that are necessary for an understanding of the presentinvention will be described, and detailed descriptions of other portionsof such known components will be omitted. In the present specification,an embodiment showing a singular component should not be consideredlimiting; rather, it is intended to encompass other embodimentsincluding a plurality of the same component, and vice-versa, unlessexplicitly stated otherwise herein.

FIG. 1 is a right-side isometric view of an exemplary multipurposeultraviolet floor curing (MUFC) device 10 in a floor configuration,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Embodiments aredisclosed in the context of curing radiation-curable formulations(hereinafter interchangeably referred to as radiation-curable coatings,photocurable coatings, or photocurable formulations) including, but notlimited to, those based on acrylated resins (e.g., epoxies, urethanes,polyesters, acrylics, or other specialty resins), cycloaliphaticepoxies, cationic epoxy, epoxy silane, and unsaturated polyester forsurface protection, durability, and longevity. However, in general, theembodiments may be implemented to cure or disinfect any surface such aswood, metal, plastic, fiberglass, cement, stone, and ceramic, or theradiation-curable coatings on such surfaces in a wide variety of indoorand outdoor environments including, but not limited to, hospitals,cruise ships, homes, schools, factories, restaurants, stadiums, lockerrooms, and gyms. These radiation-curable coatings or any of theirconstituents and reactants may be formulated in one or more forms suchas solid, semi-solid, liquid, gas, and plasma, or any combinationsthereof.

The MUFC device 10 may represent a wide variety of devices configured toemit or facilitate emission of the UV light at a high intensity towardssurfaces proximate to the ground (e.g., floor surface, baseboards, etc.)as well as those at a significant height from the ground (e.g., walls,roofs, ceilings, objects such as drawers, storage cabinets, door knobs,and bathroom sinks, etc.), where the intensity may be adapted to inducean intended effect (e.g., curing, disinfection, sintering, etc.) withinapproximately sixty seconds or less from a relatively short distance(e.g., less than approximately one foot from such surfaces). The MUFCdevice 10 may be implemented as a standalone and dedicated deviceincluding hardware and installed software, where the hardware is closelymatched to the requirements or functionality of the software. In someembodiments, the MUFC device 10 may enhance or increase thefunctionality or capacity of a network to which it may be connected.

The MUFC device 10 may also include software, firmware, or otherresources that support remote administration, operation, diagnostics,repair, and/or maintenance thereof. Further, the MUFC device 10 may beimplemented in communication with any of a variety of computing devicessuch as a desktop PC, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a server, amainframe computer, a mobile computing device (e.g., mobile phones,laptops, etc.), an internet appliance (e.g., a DSL modem, a wirelessaccess point, a router, a base station, a gateway, etc.), and so on. Insome instances, the MUFC device 10 may operate, or cease to operate, inresponse to a wearable device including, but not limited to, a fashionaccessory (e.g., a wrist band, a ring, etc.), a utility device (e.g.,hand-held baton, a pen, an umbrella, a watch, etc.), a body clothing, orany combination thereof, present within a predetermined proximity of, orremotely connected to, the MUFC device 10.

The MUFC device 10 either independently or in communication with anetwork device may have video, voice, or data communication capabilities(e.g., unified communication capabilities) by being coupled to orincluding, various imaging devices (e.g., cameras, printers, scanners,medical imaging systems, etc.), various audio devices (e.g.,microphones, music, players, recorders, audio input devices, speakers,audio output devices, telephones, speaker telephones, etc.), variousvideo devices (e.g., monitors, projectors, displays, televisions, videooutput devices, video input devices, camcorders, etc.), or any othertype of hardware, in any combination thereof. In some instances, theMUFC device 10 may comprise or implement one or more real-time protocolsand non-real-time protocols known in the art, related art, or developedlater to facilitate data transfer to the networked device.

In one embodiment, the MUFC device 10 may include a mobile carriage 15,a cabinet 20, a handle 30, a display unit 40, a control system, a powerconnector 50, and a UV panel 60 including one or more radiation units70-1, 70-2, 70-3, 70-4, 70-5 (collectively, radiation units 70). Themobile carriage 15 may provide a platform for supporting variouscomponents such as the cabinet 20 and the UV panel 60. The mobilecarriage 15 may include floor mobility devices, which may assist todrive the mobile carriage 15 in space based on a friction, magneticlevitation, cryogenic levitation, or any other motion principle known inthe art, related art, or developed later. For example (FIG. 2), themobile carriage 15 may include omnidirectional wheels such as wheels80-1, 80-2, 80-3 (collectively, wheels 80) for navigating the MUFCdevice 10 to a desired position within a designated space such as aroom. The mobile carriage 15 may be manually maneuvered or operateautonomously for designated movements or operation within a definedspace. Other embodiments may include the mobile carriage 15 beingcontrolled remotely by any computing device (not shown) known in the artsuch as those mentioned above over the network. The mobile carriage 15may be partially or fully enclosed in the cabinet 20.

The cabinet 20 may refer to any housing configured to cover the mobilecarriage 15 and protect one or more components mounted thereon. In someinstances, the cabinet 20 may improve the aesthetics of the MUFC device10. The cabinet 20 may be made of any durable, fire-retardant orfire-resistant, and light-weight polymers known in the art, related art,or developed later including, but not limited to, polyphenylene sulfide,polyamide-imide, polypropylene, and aramid polyamide polymers. Thecabinet 20 may include components or pockets that may be permanentlyconnected, detachably coupled, or integrally formed thereto based onintended purposes. For example, the cabinet 20 may include one or moreutility pods (not shown) attached externally or internally to thecabinet 20, allowing for convenient on-board carrying of various tools,supplies and implements such as radiation-curable formulation, spare orauxiliary components such as standalone a handheld radiation unit 210(discussed below in further detail), etc. Structurally, such pods may beof any suitable shape and size depending on items intended to bemounted, stowed, or stored therein. Various other kinds, sizes, andshapes of utility pods may also be contemplated based an intendedpurpose or items to be held therein. Further, the utility pods may bemade of any suitable material known in the art, related art, ordeveloped later including those described above for the cabinet 20, suchthat the material has suitable rigidity, mechanical tolerance, andresistance to the UV light or various other types of decontamination anddisinfection agents known in the art.

The cabinet 20 may include openings or slots to accommodate the handle30 and the display unit 40 for providing access thereto. Both the handle30 and the display unit 40 may be permanently connected, removablycoupled, or formed integral to the mobile carriage 15. The handle 30 mayrefer to any structure capable of assisting an operator to maneuver theMUFC device 10 from one point in space to another. In one example, thehandle 30 may have a U-shaped structure including elongated armsconnected to each other via a bar. The handle 30 may be configured forbeing moved between a folded position (not shown) and an unfoldedposition. In the folded position, the handle 30 may pivot from one ormore connection points for being substantially parallel to the mobilecarriage 15 or the floor. In the unfolded position, the handle 30 maypivot about the horizontal axis into a plane, which may be substantiallyvertical or at a predetermined angle relative to the mobile carriage 15.In the unfolded position, the handle 30 or any portion thereof may beaccessed by the operator for maneuvering the MUFC device 10. In someother embodiments, the handle 30 may include one or more control units(e.g., buttons, rotary dials, speakers, cameras, light emitting unitssuch as bulbs, displays, interactive touchscreens, etc.) to assist incontrolling an intended operation of the MUFC device 10 or providing anindication in response thereof. Examples of such indication may include,but not limited to, audio, visual, haptic, or any combination thereof.

Further, the display unit 40 may be physically located on the MUFCdevice 10, as illustrated, or connected remotely to the MUFC device 10over the network. The display unit 40 may be in communication with auser interface (not shown) indicating information pertaining to theoperation of MUFC device 10. Different types of user interfaces,including those, which are touch controlled, key-controlled,joystick-controlled, motion-controlled, voice-controlled, and so on maybe employed. The user interface may be either integrated or separatelycombined with the display unit 40 or the MUFC device 10, which may alsoinclude a variety of known, related art, or later developedinterface(s), including software interfaces (e.g., an applicationprogramming interface, a graphical user interface, etc.); hardwareinterfaces (e.g., cable connectors, a keyboard, a card reader, a barcodereader, a biometric scanner, an interactive display screen, a printer,temperature sensors, light sensors, disinfection/curing sensors,pathogen sensors, etc.); or both. Such interface(s) may facilitatecommunication between various devices or components such as the UV panel60 and the radiation units 70 associated with the MUFC device 10. Insome embodiments, the interface(s) may facilitate communication withother networked devices capable of interacting with the MUFC device 10over the network.

The display unit 40 may be or include an interactive display screenallowing an operator to access, control, or dynamically define differentfunctionalities (e.g., automatic spatial movement of the MUFC device 10,dynamic detection or identification of pathogens or radiation-curablecoatings, etc.) of the MUFC device 10. In one example, the display unit40 may display a login/logout section and a dashboard. The login/logoutsection may allow an operator to selectively gain access for using theMUFC device 10. Upon being logged-in, the display unit 40 may displaythe dashboard providing a list of functionalities, modes, parameters,avatars, etc. that the operator may select or modify for a desiredoperation of the MUFC device 10. Other embodiments may include thedisplay unit 40 including or providing a variety of tangible indicators(e.g., light emitting diodes, vibrators, speakers, etc.) or virtualindicators displayable on the dashboard (e.g., numeric indicators,alphanumeric indicators, or non-alphanumeric indicators, such asdifferent colors, different color luminance, different patterns,different textures, different graphical objects, etc.) known in the art,related art, or developed later to indicate different aspects of theMUFC device 10. Examples of these aspects may include, but not limitedto, values of operational parameters such as frequency, wavelength,dose, power, and intensity; a selected mode in operation; operationalstates of different components; and operation or performance aspects ofa networked or physically connected accessory.

Further, the MUFC device 10 may include the UV panel 60 outside thecabinet 20. The UV panel 60 may be permanently connected, removablycoupled, or formed integral to the mobile carriage 15 or the cabinet 20.For example, the UV panel 60 may be coupled to the mobile carriage 15via an electromechanical scheme of members and linkages which may becontrolled by the control system. The UV panel 60 may be located towardsa front of the mobile carriage 15. However, a person having ordinaryskill in the art would understand that such UV panel 60 may beadditionally or alternatively located at any other regions, e.g., at thebottom or at opposing sides, of the mobile carriage 15.

In one implementation, as illustrated (FIGS. 1-2), the UV panel 60 mayinclude an L-shaped panel having a rectangular plate and a flangeextending perpendicularly therefrom in a direction away from the mobilecarriage 15. The plate may be rotatably secured to the mobile carriage15. Further, the plate in combination with the flange may be configuredto detachably secure the radiation units 70. For example, the plate orthe flange, or both, may include slots (not shown) to receive theradiation units 70, which may be secured into the slots through a snapfit; however, other suitable connection mechanisms known in the art,related art, or developed later including magnets, Velcro® patches, ascrew fit, and a luer-lock, may be contemplated based on materials fromwhich the radiation units 70, the plate, and flange may be made.

In another implementation (not shown), the UV panel 60 may include ahousing having any suitable cross-section based on designs of radiationunits 70 to be mounted or secured therein. For example, the housing maybe shaped as a cuboid having a substantially rectangular cross-section;however, other suitable cross-sectional shapes including, but notlimited to, circular, elliptical, oval, polygon, and irregular may becontemplated. The housing may be open from a top side and an opposingbottom side, which may face the ground. The bottom side may include oneor more flanges (not shown) extending inward from a lower rim of thehousing. Each of such flanges may extend partially across the length ofthe housing to form a panel window surrounded by the flanges, which mayprovide a flat surface for receiving the radiation units 70. The panelwindow may extend along the length of the housing, which may receive theradiation units 70 from its top side. Upon being received, the radiationunits 70 may rest on the one or more flanges. In some examples, each ofthe one or more flanges may include slots that assist to removablysecure the radiation units 70; however, other securing mechanisms knownin the art, related art, or developed later including those mentionedabove may be employed depending on the materials from which theradiation units 70 and the housing are made.

The UV panel 60 may be made as an integrated unit or a modular unitcreated by assembling multiple pieces together. The UV panel 60 may bemanufactured of any suitable size, shape, and material based ondimensions of each of the radiation units 70 being received, the heatgenerated by those radiation units 70, mechanisms to be implemented forcooling the radiation units 70, and a size of surface being projectedwith the UV light or intended projection surface area during operation.Examples of such material may include, but not limited to, thosementioned above for the cabinet 20, or any other suitable materialsknown in the art, related art, or developed later. Further, the UV panel60 may include openings or channels to facilitate airflow therethroughto assist in cooling the radiation units 70. However, additional coolingmechanisms based on those including, but not limited to, a blower, asuction source, or any combination thereof may be implemented on the UVpanel 60 or the radiation units 70.

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the mobile carriage 15 may furtherinclude a chassis 90 substantially covered by the cabinet 20. In oneembodiment, the chassis 90 may support the control system having acontrol device 100 and a power supply unit 110. The power supply unit110 may provide a high voltage power supply delivered from a set of oneor more batteries placed on the mobile carriage 15, or an externalelectrical outlet via a power cord, which may be stored on a retractablereel disposed on the chassis 90 of the MUFC device 10. The controldevice 100 may be an electronic or an electromechanical deviceconfigured to control predefined or dynamically defined functions andmovements of various components including, but not limited to, themobile carriage 15 and the UV panel 60. In some embodiments, the controldevice 100 may include or be implemented by way of a single device(e.g., a computing device, processor or an electronic storage device) ora combination of multiple devices. The control device 100 may beimplemented in hardware or a suitable combination of hardware andsoftware.

In one embodiment, the control device 100 may be configured to operatethe MUFC device 10 in predefined or dynamically defined modes such as acuring mode and a disinfection mode; however, one having ordinary skillin the art may contemplate to define and implement additionaloperational modes. In the curing mode, the control device 100 may beconfigured to drive the UV panel 60 in different orientations while theUV light is being emitted at a predetermined intensity and dose towardsthe floor and/or elevated surfaces located in a plane away from thefloor, e.g., baseboards or trims running along the intersection of awall and the floor. Further, the control device 100 may control theoperation and movement of the radiation units 70 with respect to the UVpanel 60. In some embodiments, the control device 100 may also release adesired radiation-curable formulation from the utility pods, or astorage tank contained therein, on to a target surface prior toprojecting the UV light thereto. Other embodiments may includeexternally connected standalone radiation units 210, discussed below indetail, being operated to emit the UV light upon being triggered by thecontrol device 100 for curing. Additionally, the control device 100 mayallow an operator to remove or draw out the radiation units 70 from theUV panel 60 in the curing mode. In the disinfection mode, the controldevice 100 may lock the UV panel 60 to a predetermined orientation,e.g., facing the floor such that the UV radiation is projected towardsthe ground or a surface underneath the UV panel 60. In some embodiments,the functionalities of the MUFC device 10 activated in both the curingmode and the disinfection mode may be combined in a single operationalmode.

The operator may select one of these modes either through an inputdevice (not shown) located on the MUFC device 10 and in communicationwith the control device 100. Examples of the input device may include,but not limited to, a smartcard, a microphone, a stylus pen, the displayunit 40, a keyboard, a camera, a switch, a rotary knob, a computingdevice, or any other input device known in the art, related, ordeveloped later. Alternatively, the operator may select any of thesemodes remotely by a computing device such as those mentioned above incommunication with the control device 100 over the network.

The control system may communicate with the power connector 50, whichmay be configured to power various standalone devices and componentsthat are otherwise disconnected from the MUFC device 10. Examples ofsuch standalone devices and components may include, but are not limitedto, handheld UV units, mountable UV units, and accessories such asreflector panels, vacuum cleaners, blowers, and so on. The powerconnector 50 may include a body 120 having one or more electricalcontacts 130 for engaging with an external accessory which may bereferred to as an electrical accessory. The contacts 130 may have any ofa variety of configurations known in the art, related art, or developedlater. For example, the power connector 50 may be configured as a Type-Lsocket. On the other hand, the body 120 may be configured to rotateabout a vertical axis based on a force induced by power cables (notshown) of the accessory upon being connected to the contacts 130. Thebody 120 may rotate freely or by a belt and motor arrangement 95controlled by the control device 100, thereby facilitatingomnidirectional maneuverability of the connected accessory andpreventing the power cables, if any, of the accessory from tangling.

Structurally, the body 120 may also be configured to support anyaccessories mounted thereon. For example, the body 120 may be configuredto include a recess 140 for receiving a portion of the mountableaccessory. The recess 140 may have any of a variety of suitable shapesincluding, but not limited to, circular, rectangular, elliptical, andirregular depending on shapes of the accessories intended to be mountedtherein. In one embodiment, the recess 140 may include rubberinner-walls for the accessory to snap fit therein. Another embodimentmay include the recess 140 being part of a separate member (not shown)removably coupled to the body 120, where such separate member may beconfigured to rotate while the body 120 remains stationary. In someembodiments, the body 120 and the separate member may be configured torotate independent of each other. In some other embodiments, thecontacts 130 and the separate member may be powered at differentvoltage, current, or power levels by the control system. In some otherembodiments, the power connector 50 may be configured to operateindependent or in combination with the UV panel 60, or radiation units70 contained therein, by the control device 100. For example, thecontrol device 100 may disable or enable one or more standalone devicesconnected to the power connector 50 when the radiation units 70 areactive based on a user input, and predefined or dynamically definedconditions such as an operating mode of the MUFC device 10.

Further, the UV panel 60 includes the radiation units 70, which mayrepresent handheld units capable of emitting a desired pulsed orcontinuous radiation within a predetermined UV spectrum alone or inaddition to other radiations within a predetermined wavelength range ofthe electromagnetic spectrum. For example, one or more of the radiationunits 70 may be configured to emit the UV light within a wavelengthranging from 100 nm to 465 nm; however, other suitable wavelength rangesmay be contemplated depending on the radiation-curable coatings appliedto the floor or any other surfaces for being cured or disinfected. Thecontrol device 100 may adjust the intensity and dose of the UV light perunit area emitted generated by the radiation units 70 to speed up thecuring process based on the radiation-curable formulation to be cured.

In one embodiment, one or more of the radiation units 70 may beconfigured for being pulled-out of the UV panel 60 to be used as ahandheld unit to cure or disinfect elevated surfaces or those at asignificant height from the ground including constrict spaces orsurfaces inside or outside objects such as cabinets. For example, theradiation units 70 may be wirelessly or physically coupled using cablessuch as cables (FIG. 3) to the control system. In case of a physicalconnection, heights up to which surfaces may be treated by the radiationunits 70 may depend on lengths of cables connected thereto. In oneexample, the cable lengths may allow the radiation units 70 to extend upto a height of approximately 6 feet from the ground for treatingsurfaces from a distance of approximately one foot or less. The cablesmay be stored on one or more retractable reels (not shown) disposed onthe chassis 90 and may be connected to the control system, i.e., thepower supply unit 110 and the control device 100. In some embodiments,the retractable reels may be stowed on or integrated to the UV panel 60.The retractable reels may be configured to maintain a predeterminedtension in the cables attached to the radiation units 70.

The cables may supply power and control signals to the radiation units70. However, in some embodiments, each of the cables may be implementedas a compendium cable including an airflow tube (not shown) in additionto the cables being attached to the control system. The airflow tube maysupply an airstream from an airflow source (not shown) of anypredetermined type for cooling a respective radiation unit. For example,a suction airstream may be applied using a vacuum module (not shown) viathe airflow tube, which may create a negative pressure within aradiation unit to draw out the hot air around a radiation source withinthat radiation unit such as the radiation unit 70-1. Additionally, oralternatively, each of the radiation units 70 may be fitted with ablower module such as a fan to augment the cooling of that radiationunit. Other embodiments may include one or more air openings (not shown)in the radiation units 70 for allowing the air driven by the airflowsource attached to MUFC device 10 to pass through these air openings forcooling the radiation units 70. In some other embodiments, the radiationunits 70, and therefore the radiation sources therein, may bewater-cooled. Further, the one or more retractable reels attached to thecables may be driven manually by an operator or automatically by thecontrol device 100 in response to a user input. Further, each of theradiation units 70 may include one or more handles such as handles 150-1and 150-2 (collectively, handles 150) to assist in maneuvering suchradiation units 70 in and out of the UV panel 60.

In one embodiment, the MUFC device 10 may be configured to transitionfrom a floor configuration to a non-floor configuration, and vice versa.In the floor configuration (FIGS. 1-3), the UV panel 60 including theradiation units 70 may be configured to project the UV light towards theground substantially underneath the UV panel 60. For example, in a restposition, the UV panel 60 may be adapted to orient a bottom-side, whichmay also be a radiation-emitting side, of at least one of the radiationunits 70 substantially parallel to the ground. The radiation-emittingside may refer to any side, end, portion, section, location, direction,window or opening, position, or any other aspects of a radiation unitsuch as the radiation unit 70-1 through which the generated UV light maybe projected exterior to that radiation unit. In another example, theradiation-emitting sides of the radiation units 70 may be orientedsubstantially parallel to the ground while being at a predeterminedangle or orientation with respect to the UV panel 60. In yet anotherexample, the radiation-emitting sides of the radiation units 70 may besubstantially parallel to the ground while being non-parallel to themobile carriage 15.

In the non-floor configuration (FIG. 4), the UV panel 60 may beconfigured to move about a horizontal axis so that theradiation-emitting side of at least one of the radiation units 70orients away from the ground underneath the UV panel 60. One havingordinary skill in the art may contemplate any suitable movementsincluding, but not limited to, pivot rotary, pan, swivel, tilt, extend,and slide for moving the UV panel 60 based on the design thereof. In atilted position, the UV panel 60 may be adapted to pivot in differentorientations along a circumference of an imaginary circle having thehorizontal axis passing through its center. In one example, asillustrated, the UV panel 60 may be adapted to pivot outwards from therest position for driving the radiation-emitting sides of the radiationunits 70 at angles up to approximately 100 degrees with the horizontalaxis, thereby projecting the UV light away from the mobile carriage 15.In another example (not shown), the UV panel 60 may be adapted to pivotinwards from the rest position for driving the radiation-emitting sideof the radiation units 70 at angles up to approximately 10 degrees withthe horizontal axis, thereby projecting the UV light towards the groundunderneath the mobile carriage 15.

With respect to the above configurations of the MUFC device 10, the UVpanel 60 may be adapted to transition between the rest position and thetilted positions using a variety of mechanisms known in the art, relatedart, or developed later. In one embodiment (FIGS. 5-6), the UV panel 60may be coupled to a ratchet 160 that may reciprocate linearly within arail frame 170 to drive the UV panel 60. The ratchet 160 may be coupledto the UV panel 60 in a partly extended configuration, hereinafterreferred to as zero-point position, while keeping the UV panel 60 at therest position. The ratchet 160 may be driven to linearly extend out ofthe rail frame 170 for pivoting the UV panel 60 outwards from thezero-point position into a first tilted position. Similarly, the ratchet160 may be moved backwards into the rail frame 170 from the zero-pointposition to pivot the UV panel 60 inwards into a second tilted position.The ratchet 160 may be driven via any suitable mechanical linkages suchas gears and motors controlled by the control device 100.

In the tilted position of the UV panel 60 (FIG. 7), one or more of theradiation units 70 may be configured to project the UV light at surfacesup to a height of approximately one foot from the ground and towards thefront of the MUFC device 10. In one embodiment, each of the radiationunits 70 may include a radiation source 180 such as a UV lamp enclosedin a protective body having a radiation window 190, which may be adaptedas an opening or a radiation filter such as optical filters, therebydefining the radiation-emitting side. The radiation source 180 may beplaced behind the radiation window so that a predetermined radiationemitted by the radiation source 180 is projected through the radiationwindow 190 on to a target surface. The radiation window 190 of each ofthe radiation units 70 may face towards the floor upon being receivedwith the UV panel 60 in the rest position.

The radiation source 180 such as the UV lamp may be a pulsed radiationsource, a continuous radiation source, or a set of both the pulsedradiation and the continuous radiation sources. The pulsed radiationsource may be configured by the control device 100 to emit pulses of UVlight of a predetermined energy intensity within a predefined ordynamically defined wavelength range. In some embodiments, the pulsedradiation source may be configured by the control device 100 to have apulse frequency and/or pulse duration that may cause the emitted pulsedUV light to appear as continuous to a human eye. On the other hand, thecontinuous radiation source may be configured by the control device 100to emit a continuous stream of UV light. In some embodiments, thecontinuous radiation source may be turned on and off at a predeterminedfrequency by the control device 100 to emit pulses of UV radiation. Theradiation source 180 may be designed as a bulb, a light emitting diode(LED), a lamp, or any other types known in the art, related art, ordeveloped later, or any combination thereof. In one example, theradiation source 180 may be a strip of one or more UV LEDs configured toemit pulses of UV light. Other examples may include UV bulbs, which maybe configured for pulsed or near continuous emission of the UV light. Insome embodiments, the radiation source 180 may be flexible. In someother embodiments, a radiation unit such as the radiation unit 70-5 mayinclude a flexible radiation source configured to acquire a largergeometry when extended or pulled-out of UV panel 60.

In one embodiment, each of the radiation units 70 may include one ormore adjustable reflectors such as an adjustable reflector 200 aroundthe respective radiation sources such as the radiation source 180 toconverge or diverge the emitted UV light on to a target surface, or aradiation-curable coating thereon, through the radiation window 190 ofthat radiation unit such as the radiation unit 70-5. In one embodiment,the adjustable reflectors such as reflector 200 may be configured by thecontrol device 100 to change their geometry or positions based onpositions of (1) the respective radiation units 70 or (2) the UV panel60. For example, the reflector 200 may have a curved geometry that maybe adjusted by the control device 100 via mechanical linkages (notshown) for the reflector to have a relatively low curvature when the UVpanel 60 is in the tilted position vis-à-vis the reflector curvaturewhen the UV panel 60 is in the rest position. As a result, the reflector200 upon having a lower curvature may increase the relative UV intensityreceived by a surface by focusing the UV light to a narrow surface area.In another embodiment, the control device 100 may be configured toadjust the intensity of the projected UV light depending on the positionof the reflector 200 with respect to the horizontal axis or the verticalaxis. For example, the control device 100 may be configured to drive theradiation sources such as the radiation source 180 to increase theintensity of the project UV light according to an increase in the tiltangle of the reflectors with respect to the horizontal axis from therest position of the UV panel 60. Farther the radiation-emitting sidesof the radiation units 70 from the ground, greater may be the UVintensity. Further, the reflector 200 may be suitably positioned withrespect to the radiation source 180 such as behind or front of theradiation source 180 to direct a maximum amount of UV light towards theground, a target surface, or a desired direction.

In addition to the radiation units 70 coupled to UV panel 60, the MUFCdevice 10 may be coupled to additional standalone devices via the powerconnector 50 for extended functionalities. In a first implementation(FIGS. 8-10), an independent handheld radiation unit 210 may beconnected to the power connector 50. The handheld radiation unit 210 mayinclude a power cable 220 such as a coiled power cable 220 having anysuitable length to assist in accessing surfaces at a significant heightsuch as 8 feet to 10 feet from the ground depending on the length of thepower cable 220. The power cable 220 may include a plug 230 compatiblewith the power connector 50 for being connected thereto. In someembodiments, the handheld radiation unit 210 may operate incommunication with the control device 100 for a tandem operation. Thehandheld radiation unit 210 may include handles 240-1, 240-2(collectively, handles 240) for easy maneuverability and a radiationsource 250 such as a UV lamp.

In one embodiment, the handheld radiation unit 210 may also include oneor more controllable reflectors 260, similar to the adjustable reflector200, which may be configured by the control device 100 to change theirgeometry or positions based on their angle with respect to thehorizontal axis during use. Such an angle may be measured using any of avariety of components or mechanisms known in the art, related art, ordeveloped later including, but not limited to, a gyroscope, anaccelerometer, an inclinometer, and so on in combination with anon-device control unit (not shown). The control device 100 maycommunicate with the on-device control unit and adjust the intensity ofthe UV light generated by the radiation source 250 either directly or byadjusting the geometry or position of the controllable reflectors 260.As illustrated in FIG. 10, similar to the radiation units 70, thehandheld radiation unit 210 may include filters 270-1, 270-2(collectively, filters 270) and a cooling unit such as a fan 280.Examples of the filter may include, but not limited to, a highefficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, an ultra-low penetration air(ULPA) filter, a Micro Fresh filter, an allergen filter, and acarbon-activated filter, or any combination thereof.

In a second implementation (FIGS. 11-13), a UV tower 290 may beconnected to the power connector 50 for transforming the MUFC device 10into an area UV disinfection device in addition to a curing device. TheUV tower 290 may include a transparent housing 300 enclosing a radiationsource 310 such as a UV lamp configured to project the UV light exteriorto the UV tower 290. The housing 300 may be made of any suitablematerials known in the art, related art, or developed later includingquartz that limits attenuation of the UV light passing therethrough. Thehousing 300 may have a shape, size, and cross-section compatible forbeing mounted on the power connector 50. For example, the housing 300may be cylindrical having a circular cross-section for being secured inthe recess 140 associated with the power connector 50 using any suitablemechanisms known in the art, related art, or developed later including asnap fit. In one embodiment, the UV tower 290 may also include arotatable reflector 320 located within the housing 300 and configured torotate about the UV lamp 310 or a vertical axis for selectivelyprojecting the UV light in an intended direction. The rotatablereflector 320 may be suitably positioned with respect to the UV lamp 310such as behind or front of the UV lamp 310 to direct a maximum amount ofUV light towards a target surface or a desired direction. The rotatablereflector 320 may be adapted to rest on the body 120 of the powerconnector 50 and configured to rotate based on rotation of the powerconnector body 120, as illustrated in FIGS. 12-13.

In another embodiment, the UV tower 290 may include an on-board controlunit (not shown) and a power unit (not shown) to drive the rotatablereflector 320. In yet another embodiment, the rotatable reflector 320may include multiple reflecting sections (not shown), each capable ofrotating in different directions in tandem with each other. In stillanother embodiment, each of the rotatable reflecting sections may rotateor operate independent of each other. In some embodiments, the rotatablereflector 320 or the rotatable reflecting sections may gradually rotateat fixed or gradually changing angles such as 120 degrees, 135 degrees,180 degrees, 240 degrees, and 360 degrees, or any other suitable angles,with respect to the radiation source for intended surface coverage.Similar to the radiation units 70, geometries of the rotatable reflector320 as well as the reflecting sections may be increased or decreased viaany suitable mechanical linkages known in the art such as thosediscussed above. In one embodiment, the control device 100 may adjustthe intensity of the generated UV light based on (1) predeterminedrotational speeds or positions of the rotatable reflector 320 or thereflecting sections with respect to the UV panel 60, radiation units 70connected thereto, or a target surface, (2) operational modes of theMUFC device 10, or (3) a user input to increase or decrease theprojected intensity of the UV light. Such rotational speeds may bepredefined or dynamically defined based on (i) various aspects of atarget surface and (ii) duration and extent of UV exposure as well as anumber of times such exposure may be required. Examples of these aspectsmay include, but not limited to, physical aspects (e.g. physical states,temperature, pressure, weight or mass, volume, velocity, concentration,electric charge, viscosity, etc.), chemical aspects (e.g., enthalpy,toxicity, pH value, reactivity, flammability, etc.), and biologicalaspects (e.g., living organisms, plants or plant products, organicresidues, etc.), or any combination thereof. The control device 100 mayalso drive the UV tower 290 to generate pulses of UV light instead of acontinuous stream, for example, during a disinfection mode fordisinfecting a target surface. The UV tower 290 may also include filters(not shown) and cooling mechanisms (not shown) such as those mentionedabove.

In a third implementation, a ceiling UV projector 330 may be connectedto the power connector 50 for providing a specific functionality of thearea UV disinfection device in addition to curing. The ceiling UVprojector 330 may be configured to project the UV light upwards at ahigh intensity. In one embodiment, the ceiling UV projector 330 mayinclude an inverted-cone housing 340 enclosing a radiation source 350such as a UV lamp. The top of housing 340 may be transparent forallowing the UV light to pass through and lateral edges may besubstantially covered by an inverted-cone reflector 360 for projectingthe UV light in the upward direction. The length of the lateral edgesand dimensions of the circular cross-sections may be selected based onthe intended coverage of a target surface and the UV intensity receivedper surface area.

In one embodiment, the inverted-cone reflector 360 may have anadjustable geometry and the ceiling UV projector 330 may further includean on-board control unit (not shown) in communication with the controldevice 100. The adjustable inverted-cone reflector 360 may be made oftwo or more curved reflector panels capable of overlapping with eachother via known mechanical linkages (not shown) to decrease the geometryof the inverted-cone reflector 360. One having ordinary skill in the artmay also contemplate to increase the geometry of the inverted-conereflector 360 relative to the space available within the inverted-conehousing 340. In said embodiment, the control device 100 may beconfigured to adjust the UV intensity based on the geometry of theinverted-cone reflector 360. For example, the control device 100 incommunication with the control unit may increase the UV intensity whenthe geometry of the inverted-cone reflector 360 is decreased. In anotherexample, the control device 100 in communication with the control unitmay increase the UV intensity when the geometry of the inverted-conereflector 360 is increased. The ceiling UV projector 330 may alsoinclude filters (not shown) and cooling mechanisms (not shown) such asthose mentioned above. In some embodiments, the ceiling UV projector 330may not include the inverted-cone housing 340. In some otherembodiments, the ceiling UV projector 330 may be integrated with the UVtower 290. In some embodiments, the ceiling UV projector 330 may beconfigured to swivel or tilt about a horizontal axis upon beingtriggered by the control device 100 to project the UV light on surfacesproximate to the ceiling perpendicularly above the MUFC device 10.

The MUFC device 10 may be implemented to cure or disinfect targetsurfaces through a set of integrated UV devices and externally connectedaccessories. In one embodiment, the MUFC device 10 may be configured tooperate in a curing mode and a disinfection mode, each of which may beimplemented in any order. During operation, an operator may select oneof the modes such as the curing mode and the disinfection mode using anyof the input devices known in the art, related art, or developed laterconnected to the MUFC device 10. For example, the operator may login onan interactive display screen of the display unit 40 in communicationwith the control device 100 and select one of those modes on the screen.

Curing Mode

When the curing mode is selected, the control device 100 may allow theUV panel 60 to transition between the rest position and the tiltedposition, and vice versa for curing radiation-curable coatings onsurfaces on the ground and surfaces proximate thereto including thoseelevated up to approximately one foot from the ground, e.g., baseboards,trims, etc. In some embodiments, the control device 100 may beconfigured to automate and repeat such transitions of the UV panel 60during the curing mode. In one embodiment, the control device 100 mayadjust the intensity of the project UV light depending on the positionof reflector such as the reflector 200 in the radiation units 70 withrespect to the horizontal axis. For example, the control device 100 mayincrease the UV intensity as a tilt angle of the reflector such as thereflector 200 changes from a predetermined base angle such as zerodegree with respect to the horizontal axis at the rest position of theUV panel 60.

In another instance, the control device 100 may keep the radiation units70 unlocked in the UV panel 60. In order to cure surfaces at asignificant height from the ground, an operator may pull-out one or moreradiation units 70 from the UV panel 60 and use them as handheld UVunits. The height up to which a surface may be accessed for curing bythe radiation units 70 may depend on the lengths of cables through whichthe radiation units 70 may be connected to the MUFC device 10. In oneexample, the radiation units 70 may have cable lengths sufficient tocure surfaces up to heights of approximately 6 feet from the ground. Inanother example, the radiation units 70 may be wirelessly coupled to thecontrol system or additionally have an on-board battery for use atheights greater than approximately 6 feet.

Additionally, or alternatively, the operator may connect standaloneaccessories connected to the power connector 50 for curingradiation-curable coatings. In a first implementation, a standalonehandheld UV unit 210 including one or more controllable reflectors 260may be connected to the power connector 50 via the cable 220, which mayhave a length enough to provide access to surfaces at least up toapproximately 10 feet from the ground for curing radiation-curablecoatings thereon. In one embodiment, the control device 100 may drivethe handheld UV unit 210 to project the UV light on target surfaces.Depending on the angle of controllable reflectors 260 with respect tothe horizontal axis during use, the control device 100 may drive thehandheld UV unit 210 to project the UV light of higher intensity.Alternatively, the control device 100 may adjust the geometries orpositions of the reflectors 260 within the handheld UV unit 210 to focusthe projected UV light to deliver a high UV dose to the target surface.

In a second implementation, the UV tower 290 including the rotatablereflector 320 may be connected to the power connector 50 by theoperator. The UV tower 290 may be driven to project the UV light ontarget surfaces at heights of approximately one foot or more from theground depending on the height of the UV tower 290. During the curingmode, the control device 100 may limit the rotation of the rotatablereflectors such as the rotatable reflector 320 to direct the UV lightonly to the front of the mobile carriage 15, e.g., at fixed or graduallychanging angles up to 180 degrees, with respect to the mobile carriage15 or the horizontal axis. Further, the control device 100 may adjustthe intensity of the generated UV light based on rotational speeds orpositions of the rotatable reflector 320 with respect to the UV panel60, the radiation units 70 connected thereto, or a user input. Forexample, the control device 100 may be configured to increase the UVintensity when a reflecting side of rotatable reflector 320 is notparallel to the UV panel 60.

In a third implementation, an operator may connect the ceiling UVprojector 330 to the power connector 50 for curing radiation-curablecoatings on the ceiling or surfaces proximate thereto. The controldevice 100 may drive the ceiling UV projector 330 via the powerconnector 50 to project the UV light towards the ceiling above the MUFCdevice 10. The ceiling UV projector 330 may be driven to generate the UVlight at a high intensity sufficient to cure a radiation-curable coatingon the ceiling above the MUFC device 10, or surfaces proximate thereto,within 10 minutes or less from a distance of approximately 6 feet orless from the ground. In some embodiments, the control device 100 mayactivate the ceiling UV projector 330 to swivel or tilt about ahorizontal axis to project the UV light on to surfaces proximate to theceiling, which may be perpendicularly above the MUFC device 10, forexample, at a height of approximately 9 feet from the ground. In someembodiments, the ceiling UV projector 330 may be integrated with the UVtower 290.

Disinfection Mode

When room or large area UV disinfection is desired, the operator maydeactivate the curing mode and remotely select the disinfection mode onthe MUFC device 10. The operator may devoid human occupancy in thedesignated area where the disinfection is to be performed prior toactivating the disinfection mode to avoid health hazards due to the UVlight.

When the disinfection mode is activated, the control device 100 maysecure the received radiation units 70 in the UV panel 60 using any ofthe securing mechanisms known in the art such as mechanical locks andelectromagnetic locks depending on the materials from which theradiation units 70 and the UV panel 60 are made. Once secured, theradiation units 70 may not be removable from the UV panel 60 unless thedisinfection mode is changed, the MUFC device 10 is turned off, or anysimilar accessory such as the UV tower 290 capable of providing area UVdisinfection is disabled or not connected to the MUFC device 10. In someembodiments, the secured radiation units 70 may become detachable whenthe power supplied to the radiation units 70 may be cut-off. Further,the control device 100 may drive the MUFC device 10 to move autonomouslywithin a designated space and activate the UV panel 60 as well as anystandalone accessory connected to the power connector 50 simultaneously.For example, the control device 100 may drive the UV panel 60 tocontinuously transition between the rest position and the tilt positionwhile projecting the pulses of UV light at surfaces up to approximatelyone foot from the ground. Additionally, the UV tower 290 alone or incombination with the ceiling UV projector 330 may be activated toproject the pulses of UV light on target surfaces at heights upapproximately 10 feet from the ground. Further, the control device 100may drive the rotatable reflector 320 to have a full 360-degree rotationwithin the UV tower 290. Alternatively, the control device 100 may drivea separate MUFC device 10 connected to the power connector 50 foroperating two MUFC devices in tandem with each other for surfacedisinfection, or for curing.

The disinfection mode may be activated for a predefined or dynamicallydefined duration and may be interrupted either on-demand by the operatoror based on preset or dynamically set conditions such as those indicatedby various sensors (e.g., motion/vibration sensors, occupancy/proximitysensors, ozone sensors, temperature sensors, smoke sensors, pathogenlevel detection sensors, etc.) in communication with the MUFC device 10.Examples of these conditions may include, but not limited to, motiondetection in the proximity of the MUFC device 10 or by remote sensorscommunicating therewith, temperature of a radiation source such as a UVlamp above a predefined threshold, an accumulation of ozone above apredefined threshold, and so on. Further, the control device 100 may beconfigured to adjust the intensity, dose, frequency, wavelength, pulseduration, or any other aspects of the UV light.

While the foregoing written description of the present disclosureenables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is consideredpresently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill willunderstand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, andequivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. Thepresent disclosure should therefore not be limited by the abovedescribed embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments andmethods within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.

The order in which the methods are described is not intended to beconstrued as a limitation, and any number of the described method stepscan be combined or otherwise performed in any order to implement themethods, or an alternate method. Additionally, individual aspects may bedeleted from the method without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe subject matter described herein. Furthermore, aspects of the methodscan be implemented in any suitable hardware, software, firmware, orcombination thereof, that exists in the related art or that is laterdeveloped.

Notably, the figures and examples below are not meant to limit the scopeof the present disclosure to a single embodiment, but other embodimentsare possible by way of interchange of some or all of the described orillustrated elements.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device comprising: a mobile carriage; and a UVpanel coupled to the mobile carriage, the UV panel holding at least onehandheld radiation unit oriented towards a surface underneath the UVpanel and configured to emit UV light, wherein the UV panel isconfigured to pivot about a horizontal axis for orienting the at leastone handheld radiation unit towards an elevated surface proximate to thesurface.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the surface includes a floor.3. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one handheld radiationunit is configured for being drawn out of the UV panel for curing ordisinfecting a target surface.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the atleast one handheld radiation unit includes a portion configured toacquire a larger geometry upon being extended or drawn out of the UVpanel.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the mobile carriage isconfigured to move autonomously while the UV panel is pivoting or the atleast one handheld radiation unit is emitting the UV light.
 6. Thedevice of claim 1, further comprising a control device for driving theat least one handheld radiation unit and the UV panel based onpredefined modes of operation including a first mode and a second mode,wherein the control device is configured to (i) lock the at least onehandheld radiation unit into the UV panel in the first mode and (ii)unlock the at least one handheld radiation unit for being drawn out ofthe UV panel in the second mode.
 7. The device of claim 6, wherein theat least one handheld radiation unit includes a reflector having anadjustable geometry, wherein the control device is further configured tomanipulate the geometry based on a position of the at least one handheldradiation unit or the UV panel relative to the horizontal axis.
 8. Thedevice of claim 7, wherein the control device is further configured toadjust an intensity of the UV light based on a position of the reflectorwith respect to one of the horizontal axis and a vertical axis.
 9. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the UV panel is further configured to pivotabout the horizontal axis for the at least one handheld radiation unitto project the UV light towards a portion of another surface, whereinthe portion is underneath the mobile carriage.
 10. The device of claim1, wherein the UV panel includes a first side and an opposing secondside, the first side being configured to receive the at least onehandheld radiation unit and the second side being configured toremovably secure the at least one handheld radiation unit within the UVpanel, wherein the second side includes a window transparent to the UVlight.
 11. The device of claim 1, further comprising a UV unitconfigured to project UV light, wherein the UV unit is located on themobile carriage and above the UV panel.
 12. The device of claim 1,wherein the UV light is a pulsed UV light.
 13. A method comprising:providing a mobile device including a UV panel holding at least onehandheld radiation unit oriented towards a surface underneath the UVpanel; activating, using a control device, the at least one handheldradiation unit to emit UV light; and pivoting, using the control device,the UV panel about a horizontal axis for orienting the at least onehandheld radiation unit towards an elevated surface proximate to thesurface.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of pivotingfurther comprises transitioning the UV panel between the surface and theelevated surface while the at least one handheld radiation unit isprojecting the UV light.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the surfaceincludes a floor.
 16. The method of claim 13, further comprisingconfiguring the at least one handheld radiation unit for being drawn outof the UV panel for curing or disinfecting a target surface.
 17. Themethod of claim 13, further comprising moving, using the control device,the mobile device autonomously while the UV panel is pivoting or the atleast one handheld radiation unit is emitting the UV light.
 18. Themethod of claim 13, wherein the step of pivoting further comprisesmoving the UV panel for the at least one handheld radiation unit toproject the UV light towards a portion of another surface, wherein theportion is underneath the mobile device.
 19. The method of claim 13,wherein the step of providing the mobile device further comprisesselecting one of the predefined modes of operation using the controldevice for driving the at least one handheld radiation unit and the UVpanel, the predefined modes of operation including a first mode and asecond mode, wherein the at least one handheld radiation unit is lockedinto the UV panel in the first mode and unlocked for being drawn out ofthe UV panel in the second mode by the control device.
 20. The method ofclaim 13, wherein the UV light is a pulsed UV light.